While AI has tremendously improved our ability to process the world around us, and can be used to promote human rights, governments, multi-national corporations and others with the power to drive change don’t often realize this potential. That is, while technology can help uncover and improve understanding of human rights issues—we, the humans, have to develop the political will to intervene... . AI can be used to process the multitude of available data to detect human rights violations that many workers face around the world in factories, farms and mines... However, this AI enabled processing can also be flipped for nefarious purposes. Illicit factory owners can use technology to comb through worker social media posts to target union organizers or “trouble makers”. Corrupt states can use facial recognition technology coupled with AI to target migrant workers and/or human rights defenders who are challenging repressive regimes on exploitative labor practices. 

... While AI has, and can have, a tremendous positive impact on human rights, governments need to ensure that the wealth it creates will not exacerbate existing economic disparities. The application of AI should also be measured by the outcomes it produces and whether those violate human rights principles. Most of all, those with the power and ability need to act upon the insights gleaned.